Ammunition container



Sept. 2, 1947. J. P. sTElN AMMUNITION CONTAINER Filed April 1o, 1945 sv Smets-shawlA M D u ArraR/Vfy J. P. STEIN AMMUNITION CONTAINER Sept. 2, 1947.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 10, 1945 A fron/v5? Sept. 2, I1947. J. P. s-'rElN AMMUNITION CONTAINER l 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed April 10, 1945 MM5/V705 Jos-,DH ,0,

,4 fron/ks Paten'ted Sept. 2, 1947 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE AMM-UNITION CONTAINER Joseph- P. Stein, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 10, 1945, Serial No. 587,447

Claims. 1

The invention relates to containers, and more particularly to containers for ammunition and the like. The present application is in the nature of an improvement and continuation in part of my prior application, Serial No. 576,595, .led February 7, 1945, entitled Ammunition container, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as part of the disclosure of the present application.

Such ammunition containers, in actual use, are subjected to varied weather conditions, as well as to severe strains in handling. Accordingly, before such containers are accepted by Governmental authorities they are generally subjected to rigid preliminary tests intended to prove the fitness of such containers to withstand the most rigorous conditions which may be' met with in actual service. Both ber and metal containers have been proposed, but both types of containers have certain disadvantages. Thus, the fiber containers, which are generally spirally Wound, are likely to part at the lunctures and the sharp ends are likely to be broken. Metal containers, on the other hand, become dented, making it dificult if not impossible to remove the; projectile therefrom, and in some cases the metal casing is punctured.

One of the tests in common use consists in soaking a container for an extended period to determine its waterproofness, and this test isA repeated after further tests of a mechanical nature, which will now be described.

Another test is to subject a pile of such containers to severe and extended vibration comparable to conditions on shipboard, the purpose being. to determine the compactness of `the'package. After the Vibrating test the container` is opened to see whether ,the projectile and cartridge `case are still retained, in their original position.

A further test. is to drop a loaded container on a steel plate in such manner that the edges of thev container will contact the plate. Where the container possesses sharp edges this testr usually so mars the container that itis no longer waterproof and is unt for service.

A still further test is the drum test, wherein a container is placed in a revolving steel' drum containing bailie plates and the container is subjected to repeated falls from a height of several feet to the hard bottom of the drum.. In this manner all portions. of the container are subjected to strains, the baille plateswithi-n the drum :aridi-ng` to the severity of thev test. Ijhe drum test is generally followedy by an edge testsuch as preceded the drum test.. four of these tests being employed in succession. Since each drum test ordinarily involves twenty-four falls of the container the entire series of drum tests involves ninety-six falls, supplemented by the four edge falls.

One of the most severe tests is one known as the side drop, wherein a loaded container is dropped lengthwise upon a two-by-four set edgewise upon a steel plate. It has been found that more than sixty-five per cent of the ordinary containers, both metal' and ber, tested in this manner fail to pass the test.

A further test for the container relates toits reproofness, and in this connection re is kindled under the container, or a pile of such containers, in order to determine the amount of heat which such container will withstand, and also to determine the inflammability of the surface coating.

The primary object of the present invention Was accordingly to device an ammunition container which would withstand all required Government tests and which would stand up under service conditions. A further object was to produce an ammunition container which would be as inexpensive as possible consistent with strength, compactness, Waterproofness and fireproofness. A further object was to do away with the use of wooden boxes or metal containers which are now in common use for enclosing ber containers, both Wood and metal being critical materials. Another object of the inventor was to provide an ammunition container which is light in Weight and may be readily handled at the gun position. I have designed an ammuni tion container which complies with all of the above requirements, and which is composed of three inner liber tubes, a projectile supporting tube, a projectile neck tube, andA a cartridge case neck tube, which tubes are adapted to retai-n a projectile and cartridge case in axial alignment in accordance with present practice.

In accordance with the disclosure of my prior application these ber tubes were telescoped within a body tube formed with inner layers of fiber completely protected with an outer cover;- ing of laminated, tough textile material, such as canvas reinforced with metal wire mesh netting. All of these layers were adapted to be spiF rally wound by the use of the ,same machinery. The layers were adhesively secured together with asphalt or other suitable material and the canvas preferably impregnated with a waterproof- 3v ing and flreproong composition, such as chlorinated paraffin or the like.

In accordance with my present improvement 'the body tube may be formed of flexible plastic material, either natural or synthetic, such as rubber, either natural or synthetic, or one of the recently developed synethetic resins, such as polyvinyl butyral. Among the synthetic rubbers may be mentioned Buna S, Buna N, Thiokol, butyl and neoprene. BunaS is at present the most readily available of these materials, but butyl and neoprene possess certain advantages by reason of their superior Water and age resisting properties. These and other available flexible synthetic rubber-like plastics, together with their respective properties, are described in Modern Plastics, Feb'- ruary 1945, under the heading Synthetic rubbers, to which reference may be had for further description of these materials. The flexible plastic rubber-like material of which the body tube is formed may be and preferably is suitably reinforced by means of fabric and/or metal, preferably Wire mesh netting reinforcement, so as to increase the strength and durability of the tube.

In accordance with the disclosure of my prior application, Serial No. 576,595, the outer body tube connects and partially covers the inner.

tubes but does not extend the full length of the inner tubes, which ends, in accordance with my prior disclosure, were covered by rounded caps which comprise an inner sleeve or cap of rubberv like material which fitted within an outer cover formed of fiber, and preferably formed of ber and wire reinforced canvas. I have found that Whena body tube composed of flexible plastic rubber-like material is employed in accordance with the present improvement I may likewise ner sleeves or caps disclosed in my aforesaid application, Serial No. 576,595, but without the outer cover portion., These flexible end caps may be formed of the samematerial asthe Vbody tube and may be similarly reinforced. I have found that for most satisfactory results rubber-like materialsvof which the end caps and body tube are cOmDoSed should have a barometer rating substantially in the range of 75 to 85.

Where a composite fiber and canvas body tube such as is disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 576,595 is employed each of the end covers preferably includes an inner sleeve of flexible rubber-like material, either natural or synthetic, and an outer cover of reinforced canvas such as is disclosed in my aforesaid application. I now find it desirable, however, in such case to form the inner sleeve or end cap with an external flange or bend which serves to reinforce the cap andalso to provide an abutment for the end of the skirt portion of the composite cover, thereby increasing the strength and improving the moistureproof qualities of the container as a Whole.

Another feature in common with my prior apreproof. Where the reproofing quality is of prime importance chlorinated paraffin or a cellulose acetate lacquer may be employed. Where drying speed is essential a nitro-cellulose lacquer may be substituted.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing Vand the following detailed description, in whicha preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth by way of illustration but not by wayrof limitation. Y

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view partly in elevation of a loaded and closed ammunition container, a projectile and cartridge case being Y shown enclosed therein and represented in dotted v employ molded rubber-like caps similar to the inplication resides in the use of a tapered ring member which is retained between the end of the rubber capiand the butt end of the projectile at one end of the container, for the dual purpose of supporting the rear end of the projectile and of strengthening the end cap at a portion where the container would otherwise be vulnerable to shock.

, The end caps are taped to the body portionand the vwhole may be coated with a suitable lacquer, preferably of olive drab color, which gives the en- Ytire casing a smooth appearance, as well as addingto the resiliency of the package as a whole. Such lacquer lis preferably both waterproof and lines; A

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the'container, the caps being shown partially removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the container including the inner fiber tubes and the outer body tube, the end caps being entirely removed;

Fig. 4 is a section on line -4-4 of Fig. 1 on aY larger scale; v v

Fig. 5 is a section on line '5-5 of Fig. l'on'anV enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the metal reinforced molded rubber washer or partition which separates the container into two'compartments;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 'I-'l of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section showing the metal reinforcin ring of they partition; Y

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View of a portion of the partition illustrating astep in the molding operation;v

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional View of one of the end caps with the portions broken away to show the reinforcing thereof; Y

Fig. 11 is a sectional longitudinal view of an improved end cap or inner sleeve for use with theV reinforced canvas container disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 576,595;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional View showing such end cap applied to the'container-and including the outer reinforced canvas cover;- and lFig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional View showing a modied form of end cap for use with containers having rubber-like body tubeslthe Wire 1 thereof, the Vcomplete ammunition container is shown at A, the entire outer surface,rincluding both body and end caps, being of rubber-like material and the end-caps being rounded at A to prevent breakage.

The container VA is made up of a body portion B having reduced ends or neck portions C over which end caps'D areadapted to be tted after a projectile El and cartridge case'Fh'ave been inserted from opposite ends of the body. portion B. A Vcap reinforcing and p'rojectile supporting ring G is fitted Yover the rear Vend of the projectile and'when the cap Dis applied at the projectile end of the container an internal shoulder'on the cap ab-uts against the ring G. and holdsY the same firmly Yin place. The interior of Vthe?,container is separated into projectile containingV and'cartridge case containing compartments` -I-I .an'dgL respectively,` Yby means Yof, a rubber coatedpartition K herein shown of an in-ner ring ofmetal completely covered with rubber-like "material, which partition isr centrally apertured; so. as to provide a support vfor thev nose ofthe projectile, theV end portion of whichV projects vthrough the opening in Athe partition Vinto .the4 hollow e'ndLof the cartridge case. The body portion B of the container includes three inner ber tubes, namely a projectile l,neck tube-AIU, a projectile-supporting tube II, and a cartridgecase I2. In addition there is provided an outer cover or lbody tube I3 l lcomposed of rubber-like plastic material, either-natural or synthetic, preferably reinforced by a combination of fabricand wire mesh netting indicated generally at I4. The projectile neck tube IIl and the cartridge case neck tube I2 are of the same outer diameter and of the samelength and are adapted to be inserted from opposite ends of the cover or body tube I3 and are adhesively secured thereto, being separated by the partition K. which is centrally located with respect to the cover I3. The projectile supporting tube is shorter and of less diameter than the tubes Ill and I 2 and nts within the tube I3, being spaced from the rear end thereof, and when assembled abutting the partition K at the reinforced portion thereof. The projectile neck tube ID is provided with a metal rim I6 at the outer end thereof, while the cartridge case neck tube I2 is provided with metal rims Il at each end thereof.

The partition K, shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7, comprises an inner metal ring I8 completely covered with rubber or rubber-like material I9. To assisty inthe molding operation the metal ring I8 is provided with a series of openings lll through which are initially inserted pins II to insure proper spacing of the metal ring within the mold and thus insure the proper thickness of the rubber coating. It will be noted that the completed partition includes a peripheral portion IUSgeXtending beyond the perimeter of the metal lring |18, thus providing iiexible contact portions for the fiberY tubes lliV andr I2, while the tube Il, as previously described, abuts the partition in alignment with the metal reinforced portion thereof. The partition K is provided with a central opening 2E! which provides a guide and support for the nose of the projectile While the washer itself provides resiliency within the cartridge case.

The cap reinforcing and projectile supporting ring G is preferably of metal and comprises a body portion 2| having a radial flange 22 and a tapered inner face -23 surrounding the central opening, the tapered portion 23 conforming to the taper of the rear end of the projectile E. The radial flange 22 is adapted to t between a shoulder 24 on the interior of the cap D and the metal rim I6 o-n the projecting end of the projectile neck tube I0.

In assembling the container the projectile neck tube Ill, with the inserted projectile supporting tube II adhesively secured thereto, and the cartridge case neck tube I2 are inserted within the cover or body tube portion I3 from opposite ends thereof with the partition K at the center, the inner ends of the tubes I0 and l2 abutting at the rim portion I3 of the partition or washer K and the inner end of the tube II abutting the washer at the reinforced portion thereof. Equal portions of the projectile neck tube and cartridge case neck tube extend beyond the cover to provide the reduced neck portions C, C. The various tubes are adhesively secured together, preferably by means of suitable waterproof adhesive. The projectile E with the cap reinforcing and projectile supporting ring applied to the rear end thereof is inserted in the container from the left, as shown in Fig. 1, with the nose projecting through the central opening 2l) and abutting against the metal ring I9. Similarly, the cartridge caser1v is inserted into the tube I2 until the flange or rimv 25 of the cartridge case rests against the outerY rim I'I at theendof the tube. The inner end v26 of the cartridge case will then berspaced slightly away from the. edge of the inner metal rim II', thereby .preventing contact between the same. The outer caps' D arethen fittedv over the necks C with the shoulder 24 of one cap lborng against the flat face of the cap reinforcing and supporting ring G and ,holding thev same snugly on the projectileand in contact with the end of the tube I0. Similarly the shoulder 2d. onv the opposite capabuts against the rim 2liv attheend of thegcartridge case Eand accordingly no ring Gis required at this point. Sealing tape 26', 25 is then applied over the joints between the caps D and the body member l2.

vIn common with the disclosureof my prior application Serial No. 576,595 end caps D,` to gether withthe projectile supporting and cap reinforcing ring G constitute important features of my invention.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of my invention, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 10, each end cap D is composed of molded rubberlike material 'H3 suitably reinforced by composite fabric and wire mesh material 'l I. Each endv cap comprises a relatively thick head portion l2, a skirt portion 13, and a rounded edge 14 connect.- ng the head and skirt portions. The cap is provided with an interfitting annular shoulder 24, the function of which, as previously described, is to abut against the outer face of the cap reinforcing and projectile reinforcing ring G.- The reinforcement of the cap is desirablewhere the same is to be usedwithout a canvas cover, this being particularly true of the skirt portion, though the reinforcing-may be omitted from the head portion if desired, o rwhere a sufficiently strong material is employed the reinforcement may be omitted entirely, as shown in Fig. 13, although ordinarily such reinforcement is employed except where the rubber cap is to be used With an outer cover as.

disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 576,595. When so used the cap is preferably provided with a bead l5 such as is shown in the form of cap included in Figs. l1 and 12. Over this cap a reinforced cover 'IB is adapted to be applied composed of fiber and reinforced canvas as set forth in my application Serial N o. 576,595. When the composite cap is assembled upon a container, as indicated in Fig. l2, the sleeve portion of the composite cover l5 abuts against said bead while the composite body tube B composed of fiber and reinforced canvas layers 'l1 and 'I8 abut against the outer end of the bead. Thus a waterproof joint is insured.

In some cases it may be desired to suitably color the container, which may be accomplished either by coating or by the incorporation of a pigment within the material itself, or in other cases an envelope of camouflage material may be employed to encase the entire container so as to camouflage the same and cause the container to blend with the surroundings.

When the container is fully completed it may receive a spray coating of aceto-butyral or other fire resisting material such as the chlorinated hydrocarbons or other coating materials such as disclosed in my prior application, Serial No. 576,595.

In. order to provide a smooth exterior for the completed container the tape 26', 2B is preferably countersunk as indicated in the drawings.

The invention has been described in Vdetail for the purpose of illustration but it will be obvious that numerous modiii'cations and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the invention has been particularly described with reference to ammunition containers it will be obvious that many of the features of the invention are of broader application and may be used in other connections.

I claim: 1. VA cylindrical container comprising an outer body tube member and a pair of inner tubular members fitting within said outer tube and eX- tending beyond the ends thereof to form reduced end members adapted to receive endV caps, and a partition interposed between said inner tubular member serving to divide the container into two compartments, said partition comprising a metal ring having a rubber casing molded thereabout and completely enclosing the metal ring.

2. rA cylindrical container comprising an outer body tube member and a pair of inner tubular members tting Within said outerV tube and extending beyond the en'ds thereof to form reduced end members adapted to receive end caps, and a partition interposed between said inner tubular member serving to divide the container into two compartments, said partition comprising a metal ring having a rubber casing molded thereabout and completely enclosing the metal ring, the outer tube being formed Yof rubber-like material.

3. A cylindrical container comprising an -outer body member and a pair of inner tubular members tting within said outer tube and extending beyond the ends thereof to form reducedyendl members adapted to receive end caps, and `21,-'partition interposed between said inner tubular member serving to divide the container into two compartments, said partition comprising a metal ring-having a rubber casing molded thereabout and completely enclosing the metal ring, the outer 8 Y tube being formed of metal reinforced rubber-lik material. Y v

4. In combination with an outer tubular member, 'a pair of inner tubes fitting within said outer member with their ends projecting beyond the same to provide reduced neck portions for said" REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number n Name Date 2,351,804 Blum June 20, 1944.. 2,280,239 Karl Apr. 21, 1942 1,935,669 Rogers Nov. 21, 1933 2,370,799Y Kelley Mar. 6, 1945 2,133,461 McAbee Oct. 18, 1938 1,939,339 Dolan Dec. 12, 1933 1,988,034 Dolan Jan. 15,'1935 2,285,341 Lyon June 2, 1942 1,704,414 Weber Mar. 5, 1929 810,060 Leathers Jan. 16, 1906 1,934,681 Damsel Nov. 14, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 549,592 Great Britain Nov. 27, 1942 

